By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(October 23, 2016) This is the seventh generation 5 Series. It is 137 pounds lighter than the car it replaces, thanks to the use of magnesium, aluminum and high-strength steel, and you can add active steering to all-wheel drive versions for the first time. And then there’s the tech. So much tech that you begin to wonder if, at first glance, the makers of the ultimate mid-size sport sedan hasn’t lost the plot.

It’s hard to believe when looking at the new car, but it’s 1.2-in. longer, 0.3-in. wider, 0.6-in. taller and sits on a wheelbase that, at 117.1 inches, is a scant 0.2-in. longer than that of the outgoing model. And yet the car looks so much bigger than the curvy and elegant sixth generation 5 Series.

That’s because it wears the imposing styling of the 7 Series. On the plus side, rear seat leg room is up a significant 1.2 in., and trunk capacity has been increased to 18.7 cubic feet; it can now comfortably hold four golf bags.

Power and Dynamics

Under the hood sit a new family of modular engines built around cylinders displacing 500 cc. The 530i is powered by a twin-turbocharged 2.0-liter four that averages 248 hp from 5,200 and 6,500 rpm, and 258 lb.-ft. of torque from 1,450 to 4,800 rpm. That’s enough to propel the rear-drive 530i from 0-60 mph in 6 seconds (the all-wheel drive xDrive does it in 5.8 seconds), and on to an electronically limited top speed of 130 mph. Order the M Sport package with its double-spoke wheels shod with mixed performance run-flat tires, and the top speed is increased to an electronically limited 155 mph.

The 540i, on the other hand, is powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline six that averages 335 hp from 5,500 to 6,500 rpm, and 332 lb.-ft. of torque from 1,380 to 5,200 rpm. It sprints from 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds (4.7 seconds with xDrive), and has an electronically limited top speed of 130 mph. Order the M Sport package, and this is increased to 155 mph.

A plug-in hybrid will be added to the lineup in 2017. More information will be revealed closer to its reveal date.

For the first time, the xDrive all-wheel drive system can be coupled with BMW’s Integral Active Steering, and the lowered M Sport suspension that’s part of the M Sport package. The redesign of the 5 Series’ suspension helped make this possible. Up front, the struts are freed from their wheel location duties by the addition of upper and lower wishbones and small kinematic lever arms that minimize extraneous torque inputs around the steering axis. The upper and lower arms work together but were tuned independently, increasing the ability of BMW engineers to increase ride comfort, handling, responsiveness.

The five-link independent rear suspension has been redesigned for greater lightness and stiffness. In addition, the subframe is stiffer, and features an improved mount and support system that improves the acoustic insulation between the powertrain and suspension. Both the front and rear suspensions were extensively tuned to improve roll couple response and cohesion, especially with the vehicle’s lower overall weight and near perfect front-to-rear weight distribution.

Integral Active Steering comprises an electromechanical power steering unit with variable steering ratio and speed-sensitive power assistance, and rear-wheel steering. The rear wheels steer opposite the fronts (out of phase) at low speeds, and in the same direction as the fronts (in phase) at higher speeds. This increases the car’s agility at low speeds, especially in town and while parking, and improves stability on the road.

Adaptive Drive, an option, combines the driver-switchable Dynamic Damper Control with fast-acting electrically actuated anti-roll bar links. Electric swivel motors connect or disconnect the anti-roll bars, preventing bumps on one side of the car from telegraphing to the other side. This is done automatically in unison with dampers that adapt to the road surface and driving conditions.

The driver can switch between Comfort, Sport, Eco Pro and, optionally, Adaptive (if Dynamic Damper Control is equipped). Each activates a predefined set-up for the powertrain and chassis systems. In Adaptive mode, the steering, Dynamic Damper Control and automatic transmission react to accelerator and steering inputs, and gear selector position. And top line models use data from the navigation unit to prepare the system for upcoming bends and intersections, or different types of road, such as highways or side roads.

The brakes used on the new 5 Series depend on the model chosen, but the common factor is the use of four-piston fixed aluminum calipers up front and single-piston calipers with an integrated electromechanical parking brake at the rear. Depending on model, the front calipers are either singe-piece or two-piece. Eighteen-inch wheels with all-season run-flat tires are standard, and the buyer can order a space-saver spare tire at no extra cost. Nineteen-inch wheels with all-season or mixed performance run-flat tires are available as a no-cost option.

Cars equipped with the M Sport package receive 19-inchM Double-Spoke wheels with a choice of all-season or mixed performance run-flat tires, while 540i models with the M Sport package can be upgraded to a 20-inch wheel with mixed performance run-flat tires.



Safety and Autonomy

Though it may seem incongruous for the “Ultimate Driving Machine”, the new 5 Series has a number of semi-autonomous driving features that rely on the forward-facing stereo camera located near the rearview mirror, and optional radar and ultrasound sensors. The standard Dynamic Cruise Control maintains a selected speed between 19 and 130 mph, and decouples the engine from the rest of the powertrain when the driver lifts off the throttle at higher speeds.

The optional Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go uses the radar unit to adjust the chosen speed to traffic conditions from 0 to 130 mph. Also, it’s able to brake to a standstill in stop & go traffic on its own, detect if the car ahead is moving off, and — if put into standby mode by pushing the resume button — accelerate up to 30 seconds after coming to a full stop. If that’s not enough, the ACC unit recognizes highway exits and traffic circles, and adjusts vehicle acceleration to suit. The radar unit looks two vehicles ahead so that system inputs are quicker and smoother, and the radar unit has a heating element that keeps its field of vision clear in snowy conditions.

The stereo camera unit is used by the Active Lane Departure Warning system to detect if the vehicle is straying from its lane. Operational from 40 to 130 mph, the system uses torque input through the electric power steering system to help the driver return to the center of its lane. Also, the Blind Spot Detection system (active from 12-130 mph) can steer the 5 Series back into its lane if the sensors detect a vehicle in the next lane.

The Side Collision Avoidance feature is available between 40 and 130 mph, and warns the driver, via a visual signal or vibration through the steering wheel, if another vehicle has drifted to close to the side of the car. Should there be sufficient room on the other side of the car, SCA can steer it in that direction to avoid a collision. At any time this feature can be overridden by the driver.

But it doesn’t stop there. Combine Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Active Driving Assistant, and the 5 Series helps the driver make an evasive maneuver at speeds up to 100 mph. If a quick lane change is required, as when the car in front brakes aggressively, the system supports the driver’s inputs with faster steering and counter steering, and uses the sensors to determine how much unobstructed space is available around the vehicle. Above 100 mph, the system switches its focus from providing steering support to maximizing vehicle stability.

Semi-autonomous driving is provided by the combination of Active Lane Keeping Assistant and Traffic Jam Assistant. Available from 0-130 mph, it uses the improved image recognition and updated software algorithms to keep the car on course with smooth steering interventions. The hands-on-wheel detection, says BMW, is so sensitive that it can identify when there are only a few fingers touching the steering wheel.

Comfort and Convenience

BMW’s ConnectedDrive Services have been expanded to include a number of new features, including new parking functions. Remote Control Parking lets the driver position the car in front of a narrow parking spot, then use the Display Key to oversee the parking process from outside the vehicle. The Park Distance Control, Parking Assistant and Surround View sensors are used to guide the car into place, while the Display Key is used to switch the engine on or off.
 
The Parking Assistant function handles parallel and perpendicular parking, and has greater capabilities than before. Parallel parking slots can be just 30 inches longer than the vehicle, which means the 5 Series can fit into smaller slots. Perpendicular spaces, on the other hand, need about 15 inches of free space on each side of the car before automated parking can be activated. The integrated ultrasonic sensors located in the bumper fascias can detect suitable spaces at speeds up to 22 mph.
 
Those buyers with paranoia, or who park near Occupy Wall Street demonstrations, will appreciate the 3D Surround View’s Remote 3D View function. It uses the cameras located around the car to stitch together an overhead view of the vehicle and the area around it. Big deal. You can do that on much less expensive vehicles. What they can’t do is use an app to check on their car, no matter where it’s located. The Remote 3D View function uploads image data to the cell phone network where it can be sent to the user’s smartphone or other mobile device.
 
Finding a parking spot has also been made easier with the addition of ParkNow and On-Street Parking Information. By mid-2017, there are expected to be 500 garages affiliated with the ParkNow service, and reservations can be made while en route via the navigation system or ahead of time by using the ParkNow app or website.

Once a spot has been reserved, the driver is directed to the parking spot, and an electronic ticket generated to allow access to the reserved space. But in those situations where on-street parking is your best bet, On-Street Parking Information, which debuts on the 5 Series, uses both historical and real-time data to determine the potential availability of parking spaces within the destination area. Models predict the odds of finding an open parking spot, and color coding on the navigation screen displays the results.

While all of this is taking pace, the driver and front seat passenger can avail themselves of the optional charging tray in the storage compartment ahead of the cupholders, and the standard 16-way adjustable sport seats. Move up to the optional 20-way Multi-contour seats, and you can add ventilation and massage functions. There are eight different massage programs available, each with a choice of three intensity settings that alternately inflate and deflate the 20 air chambers in each seat.

Also, the driver can set temperature thresholds for activating seat and steering wheel heating, and seat ventilation. In addition, the Multi-contour seats feature new touch-sensitive adjustment sensors on the edge of the seat that activate one of five sensors, and opens up the corresponding menu in the iDrive display unit. A second light press on the switch allows the occupant to carry out the desired adjustment, which is underscored by an onscreen animation.
 
The 2017 BMW 5 Series has much more technology than its predecessors, including a revised iDrive system with gesture, voice and touchscreen control; a 75% larger head-up display that can show the driver real-time traffic info, navigation instructions, driver assistance warnings, phone lists, audio information and more; a standard eight-channel audio unit with 12 speakers and 205 watts of output; a nine-channel Harman Kardon unit with 600 watts and 16 speakers; a Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system with a 10-channel amplifier, 1,400 watts and 16 speakers; an optional rear seat entertainment with a pair of independently controlled 10.2-in. screens, BluRay DVD player, and connections for MP3 players and USB devices; and more.

After digesting this list, some may whine that BMW has moved far afield from its “Ultimate Driving Machine” tag line to pursue technologies that detract from the driving focus that made the brand famous. In some ways this is true. However, semi-autonomous driving, more manageable parking, and the increase in infotainment options may well reduce stress in everyday situations, while the new dynamic capabilities should make the 2017 5 Series more fun on the open road.

And while it appears to be wrapped in bodywork that lacks the curvaceousness of the current car, the real question is: “How did the engineers cram all this stuff into the new car and make it 137 lb. lighter?” How, indeed.

The Virtual Driver